what are the differences between palm-top, pocket PC, PDA...etc and others?

Question

Are all of them PDAs? I am confused... there are a lot of names but they all sems to me are the same only..somebody please help me solve this question~..thanks a lot!

Answer 1

PDA- A PDA is a handheld device with organizer and basic computing functions. Most PDAs have a large touch-screen. Many also have a stylus and support handwriting recognition. The basic features of a PDA are, calanders,clocks, games, internet access, media players and Wi-Fi.

Palm is actually an Operation System used in PDA's

A pocket PC is basically a hand-held computer that runs the Windows CE operating system. Most, if not all pocket PC's cannot be used to place calls. So essentally, some of the Blackberry's, and TREO's, and HTC that you see are preety much a combonation of all three.

For example the Blackberry is a wireless handheld device with PDA applications. The TREO is a PDA that runs the PALM Operating System. They are both also considered Smartphones.

A smartphone is preety much adding telephone functions to a PDA. I may have confused you more, But I hope this helps. They are all the same thing basically.

Answer 2

Simply put, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) organizes your life with contact lists, calendar, To-Do lists, and notes. PDAs have evolved through the years, and many now include powerful features such as WiFi, Bluetooth, can be used as mp3 players, and even watch DVDs on them.

Palm was the 1st to come out with a PDA that everyone else now emulates. The only difference between Palm and PocketPC is that Palm uses its own operating system, which is very easy-to-use, and PocketPC are devices that use Windows Mobile (in essence a Windows-based operating system for handheld devices).

The most important thing you should consider is the device itself. Some take better advantage of the operating system than others. I would look at HP iPaq, as well as Palm handhelds.

Depending on your needs, you may only need a simple PDA, or a very robust, feature-packed PDA. I would recommend looking at the Palm handhelds:

http://www.palm.com/us/products/index.html

For a simply PDA, look at the Palm Z22. For a powerful PDA, look at the Palm Tungsten T/X, which allows you to browse the Internet, get e-mail, watch DVDs (with special software), use it as an mp3 player, and oh yes, organize your life.

I would recommend going to a local retailer and trying some of the devices in your hand to see which will fit your needs and budget.